Exploring the Effects of Institutional Research Level on Engineering PhD Recipients' Postgraduation Plans

• In Event: Teaching Across Differing STEM Contexts

Abstract

Understanding the career trajectories of engineering PhD recipients has become an important area of study for the scientific and educational community as broadening STEM participation is imperative to meeting national human capital needs. Using signaling theory, this multilevel modeling study, explores the question: Controlling for graduate covariates, is there a statistically significant difference in engineering PhD recipient post-graduation plans based on the research level of the academic institution awarding the degree? Results indicate those who earned a degree from a very high research activity institution, Black recipients, and women were significantly more likely to obtain further training than pursue employment. This nuanced understanding of post-graduation plans provides points of consideration for the future of the engineering professoriate and broader workforce.

Authors

• Sylvia L. Mendez, University of Colorado - Colorado Springs

• Joseph Taylor, UCCS

• Kathryn Elizabeth Starkey, Colorado State University - Pueblo

• Valerie Martin Conley, University of Colorado - Colorado Springs

• Sarah Cooksey, University of Colorado - Colorado Springs

• Molly A.M. Stuhlsatz, BSCS Science Learning